Anhydrous products having improved wettability characteristics

ABSTRACT

Water-wettable anhydrous products, such as the powders and creams used in cosmetic and drug products, are admixed with 20 to 60% by weight, based on the weight of the total formulation, of a powdered polyethylene or powdered polypropylene polymer, to improve wettability characteristics. Denture adhesive powders prepared from an anionic/cationic adhesive combination, together with the powdered polyethylene or polypropylene polymer display particularly improved properties. The polyethylene or polypropylene polymer may also be admixed with other anhydrous products including dentifrices, vaginal powder sprays, and the like. Low molecular weight polyethylene powder, with an average molecular weight of from 1,000 to 3,500, is suitable for use in products of the invention. For the polypropylene, a molecular weight of from 120,000 to 350,000 is specified. The powdered polymers have a particle size of less than 422 microns.

United States Patent [1 1 Keegan et al.

[ 1 Nov. 11, 1975 1 1 ANHYDROUS PRODUCTS HAVING lMPROVED WETTABILITY CHARACTERISTICS [73] Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company, Morris Plains. NJ.

122] Filed: Dec. 9, 1974 [21] Appl. No: 530.578

Related US. Application Data 1631 Continuation-impart of Ser. No 302.162. Oct. 30.

1972. Pat. N0, 3.378.138.

[52] US. 260/17 R; 106/35; 260/1310. 36 [51] Int. Cl. COBL 1/28 [58] Field 01 Search 260/D1G. 36. 17 R, 231. 260/897 B. 94.9 CD; 106/35 156} References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.712.534 7. 1955 Erchak 260/285 A 2.997.399 8/1961 Eberhard et all. 106/35 3.427.191 2119M) Houell et LII... 1111111 117/1388 3.440.065 -l-ll9h9 LtlYia 106/35 3.472.841) 10. 1969 Stone et a1 260/231 3.833.518 9/1974 Rubin et a1. 260/17 R OTHER PUBLICATIONS Kanner. et al.. Chemical Abstracts. o7:l2.85 7f( 1967).

Bailey. et 211.. Chemical Abstracts. 70:79.4U7( 1969].

Primary Eramz'ncr-Donald E. Czaja Assistant E.\mninerW. C. Danison. Jr.

Attorney. Agent. or Firm-Albert H Graddis; Frank S. Chow; Anne M. Kelly 15 1 ABSTRACT Water-wettable anhydrous products. such as the powders and creams used in cosmetic and drug products. are admixed with 20 to 60% by weight. based on the weight of the total formulation. of a powdered po1 ethylene or powdered polypropylene poly mer. to improve wettability characteristics. Denture adhesive powders prepared from an anionic/cationic adheshe combination. together with the powdered polyethylene or polypropylene polymer display particularly improved properties. The polyethylene or polypropylene polymer may also be admixed with other anhydrous products including dentifrices. vaginal powder sprays. and the like. Low molecular weight polyethylene pow der. with an average molecular weight of from 1.0110 to 3.500. is suitable for use in products of the invention. For the polypropylene. a molecular weight of from 120.000 to 350.000 is specified. The powdered polymers have a particle size of less than 422 microns.

5 Claims. N0 Drawings ANl-IYDROUS PRODUCTS HAVING IMPROVED WETTABILITY CHARACTERISTICS CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of US. Ser. No. 302,162, filed Oct. 30, 1972, now US. Pat. No. 3,878,138.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many cosmetic and drug products are formulated as anhydrous powders and creams to protect the particular ingredients in the formulation as well as for convenience in manufacturing, packaging, storage and handling. However, since most of these products depend upon water for actual utility, any difficulties encountered in wetting the preparation at the time of use greatly detract from the overall consumer acceptance of the product.

tioned the waxy reaction productsof ethylene with iso- Such is the case with many anhydrous dental preparations including denture adhesives, dentifrices, and the like. Similar problems are frequently encountered with products such as anhydrous vaginal powder spray formulations.

It has now been found that the addition of a powdered polyethylene or polypropylene polymer to such anhydrous powder and cream preparations greatly enhances the wettability characteristics of the preparation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Anhydrous powder and cream formulations containing from 20 to 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the preparation, of a powder polyethylene or a powdered polypropylene polymer having a particle size of less than 422 microns, have superior wettability characteristics. Suitable polyethylene powders are of low molecular weights, i.e., from about 1,000 to 3,500; polypropylene powders having higher molecular weights, i.e., from 120,000 to 350,000 are used. A particularly preferred product is a denture adhesive powder containing about 10% by weight of a cationic copolymer of acrylamide with B-methacryloyloxyethyltrimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; about 40% by weight of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose; and about by weight of a powdered polyethylene polymer having an average molecular weight of about 2,000 or about 50% by weight of a powdered polypropylene having an average molecular weight of about 140,000.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION propanol, produced according to the processes described in US. Pat. Nos. 2,504,400, 2,712,534, and 2,683,141, wherein there is obtained a telomer product having the formula below, with n being 3 to I50:

a( 'l4)- ;)1 I

Low molecular weight polymers obtained in this manner are subjected to a pulverizing after-treatment, using a cryogenicpulverizing process, if necessary, to obtain a powdered polyethylene product of the desired particle size. a

As examples of commercially available powdered polyethylene products suitable for use in this invention, there may be mentioned those sold by Allied Chemical Company, Morristown, N..l., under the name A-C Polyethylene 6A, A-C Polyethylene 8A, A-C Polyethylene 9A, A-C Polyethylene 6AF, A-C Polyethylene 8A1, and A-C Polyethylene 9AF. Similarly, powdered polyethylene products sold by United States Industries, Park Ave., NY. 10017, as their Microthene series are also suitable.

Powdered polypropylene polymers suitable for use in the practice of this invention have an average molecular weight ranging from about 120,000 to 350,000, preferably about 120,000 to 160,000, and a particle size of less than about 422 microns, preferably between about 74 to 149 microns. Powdered polypropylene polymers having an average molecular weight of about 140,000 and a particle size of about 74 microns are especially preferred. As representative of polypropylene polymers falling into the above-described category, there may be mentioned polypropylene homopolymers prepared by the various polymerization techniques described in Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Vol. 14: pages 292-296, 1967, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., i.e., using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst and controlling the molecular weight in order to achieve the desired molecular weight. The polypropylene polymer obtained is pulverized to obtain a powdered material having. a particle size suitable for use in the practice of this invention.

As an example of commercially available powdered polypropylene homopolymers which improve the water-wettability of powders and creams according to the teachings of this invention, there may be mentioned those sold by Hercules, lnc., Wilmington, Del., as the Hercoflat series.

The above-described powdered polyethylene or powdered polypropylene, when incorporated into various anhydrous powder and cream formulations, has been found to impart vastly superior wettability characteristics to final products when they are wet with water. The exact reason for this improvement is not thoroughly understood, but is thought to possibly involve the coating of the individual polyethylene particles with one or 5 more hydrophilic ingredients in the anhydrous powder less than about 422 microns, preferably between about 60 weight of about 2000 and a particle size of about 74 microns (200 mesh) are especially preferred.

As representative of polyethylene polymers falling into the above-described category, there may be menor cream, thus affording improved accessibility of hydrophilic surfaces to the wetting fluid.

Representative anhydrous powder and cream formulations which are substantially improved by the addition of the above-described polyethylene or polypropylene powders include denture adhesives, dentifrices, vaginal powder sprays, and similar cosmetic and drug products. Superior wettability characteristics are obtained in these anhydrous cosmetic and drug products by the addition of about 20-60% by weight, preferably about 20-55% by weight, based on the weight of the total formulation, of the polyethylene or polypropylene powders, according to the teaching of this invention.

As an example of a product which is particularly improved by the incorporation of the aforementioned polyethylene or polypropylene powders, there may be mentioned a denture adhesive powder formulated to contain, as the adhesive, a mixture of a cationic polymeric component and an anionic natural or synthetic component which, when applied to dentures and exposed to moisture, develops adhesive properties. Such a denture adhesive product is described in US. application Ser. No. 243,816, filed Apr. 13, 1972, now US. Pat. No. 3,833,5l8, and in US. application Ser. No. 476,623, filed June 5, 1973, now US. Pat. No. 3,868,259. In the denture adhesive described in aforementioned patent applications, the cationic polymeric component may be at least one O-lower alkyl-trimethyl-ammonium chloride-substituted-anhydroglucose polymer described generally in US. Pat. No. 3,472,480 as having the formula:

wherein R is the residue of an anhydroglucose unit, y is an integer having a value of from about 50 to about 20,000, and each R individually represents a substituent group of the general formula:

wherein:

a is an integer having a value of from 2 to 3; b is an integer having a value of from 2 to 3; c is an integer having a value of from I to 3; m is an integer having a value of from zero to n is an integer having a value of from zero to 3', p is an integer having a value of from zero to 10; q is an integer having a value of from zero to l; R is a member selected from the group consisting of with the proviso that when q is zero then R is -H;

R,, R, and R,, taken individually, represent a member selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, cycloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl and alkoxyaryl radicals where each of R,, R, and R, can contain up to 10 carbon atoms, with the proviso that when said member is an alkoxyalkyl radical there are at least 2 carbon atoms separating the oxygen atom from the nitrogen atom, and with the further proviso that the total number of carbon atoms in radicals represented by R R, and R, is from 3 to 12 with the further proviso that when R,, R, and R, are taken together the nitrogen atom to which R,, R, and R, are attached can be a component of a heterocyclic ring selected from the group consisting of pyridine, a-methylpyridine, 2,5-dimethylpyridine, 2,4,6-trirnethylpyridine, N-methylpiperidine, N-ethyl piperidine, N-methyl morpholine and N-ethyl morpholine; Xis an anion; V is an integer which is equal to the valence of X; the average value of n per anhydroglucose unit of said cellulose ether is from about 0.01 to about 1; and the average value of m+p+q per anhydroglucose unit of said cellulose ether is from about 0.01 to about 4.

In the aforementioned formula for the cationic polymer, preferred cationic polymers for use in the denture adhesive of this invention are obtained when y is an integer having a value of from about 1000 to about 5000 and each R individually represents a substituent group of the general formula:

wherein:

m is an integer having a value of from zero to 10;

n is an integer having a value of from zero to 3;

p is an integer having a value of from zero to 10;

X is an anion; V is an integer which is equal to the valence of X; the average value of n per anhydroglucose unit of the cellulose ether is from 0.01 to l; and the average value of m+p per anhydroglucose unit of the cellulose ether is from 0.0] to 4.

Especially preferred cationic polymers are those in which X is chlorine, the average value of n per anhydroglucose unit of the cellulose ether is from 0.1 to 0.5, and the average value of m+p per anhydroglucose unit of the cellulose ether is from 0.] to 2.5. A particularly preferred O-alkyl-trimethylammonium chloride-substituted-anhydroglucose polymer of this type is commercially available as Polymer .lR-400 from Union Carbide Corporation, New York, New York. Polymer JR-400 is water soluble and, at a concentration of 1% and a temperature of 25C, yields a solution having a viscosity of 400 centipoises.

As the anionic ingredient of the denture adhesive may be one or more synthetic gums, that is, one or more of the carboxymethylcellulose gums or the cellulose sulfate gums. The carboxymethylcellulose gums are particularly preferred, especially the sodium carboxymethylcellulose gums.

The sodium carboxymethylcellulose gums are water soluble, anionic, long chain polymers, derived from cellulose. Properties vary with the average number of carboxy methyl groups that are substituted per anhydroglucose unit in each cellulose molecule. This property is generally referred to as the degree of substitution", with the maximum substitution possible designated as 3.0, since there are just three hydroxy groups capable of reaction in each anhydroglucose unit. For the practice of this invention, it has been found that one or more cellulose gums having a degree of substitution of from 0.4 to L2 is suitable. The viscosity of 1% solution of the gum, measured at 25C, should be in the range of from about I00 to 20,000 centipoises.

Sodium carboxymethylcellulose gums of this type are more fully described in Chemical and Physical Properties: Cellulose Gum, 1968, published by Hercules, lncorporated, Cellulose and Protein Products Department, 910 Market St., Wilmington, Del. [9899.

The particle size of the cellulose gum is also important and should be predominantly of a fine grain, that is, of a size such that at least 80% of the particles pass through a 200 mesh screen, while only 0.5% of the particles are retained on a 60 mesh screen. A lesser amount of the cellulose gum may be of regular grade, having particles of a size such that no more than are retained on a 40 mesh screen, while only 1% are retained on a 30 mesh screen. A particularly advantageous gum component for use in the denture adhesive of this invention has been found to be sodium carboxymethylcellulose gums, of different particle size, but within the above-stated range. This combination of gums may also be of a different degree of substitution, but, again, within the above stated range.

An improved denture adhesive powder containing the above-described ingredients, together with polyethylene or polypropylene powder according to the teachings of this invention is formulated to contain from about 40% to 60% by weight, based on the weight of the total formulation, of the powdered polyethylene or powdered polypropylene; from about 5% to 55% by weight, of at least one of the above-described cationic polymeric materials; and from about 5% to 55% by weight, of at least one of the above-described anionic gums. Preferred products contain from about 45%-55% by weight, based on the weight of the total formulation of the polyethylene or polypropylene powder; about 5%-20% by weight, of at least one of the cationic polymeric materials; and from about 20%-50% be weight, of at least one of the anionic gums. A most preferred product is formulated to contain about 50% by weight, based on the weight of the total formulation of the polyethylene or polypropylene powder, about by weight, of at least one cationic polymeric material, and about 40% by weight, of at least one anionic gum.

Typical dentifrice powder formulations which may be improved by the incorporation of the abovedescribed powdered polyethylene or powdered polypropylene, according to the practice of this invention, are formulated to contain an abrasive material, such as dicalcium phosphate dihydrate or precipitated calcium carbonate, a soap or detergent ingredient, flavors, sweeteners and excipients. Such representative dentifrice powders are described in Remingtons Pharmaceutical Sciences, pages 1785-1786, 13th Edition, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa., 1965. In order to obtain improved wettability, according to the teachings of this invention, the powdered polyethylene or powdered polypropylene is incorporated into the dentifrice powder formulation at a level of from about 20%-60% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation, preferably about 20%-50% by weight, most preferably about 45% by weight.

As an example of an anhydrous dentifrice paste, there may be mentioned the toothpaste formulation of U.S. Pat. No. 3,574,824. Improved wettability of the aforementioned anhydrous toothpaste is obtained by the incorporation of the powdered polyethylene or powdered polypropylene, according to the practice of this invention. A typical improved anhydrous toothpaste formulation of this type contains a mineral oil ingredient; a polyethylene glycol composition; a nonionic emulsifier such as Atmos 300 (Atlas Chemical Industries); a binding agent such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; mannitol or inositol; an abrasive, and coloring agents; sweeteners, and the usual excipients, together with from about 20%-60% by weight, based on the weight of the total formulation, of powdered polyethylene or powdered polypropylene, as described above. Preferred anhydrous dentifrice pastes contain about 20%-50% by weight, based on the weight of the total formulation, of polyethylene or polypropylene powders; and a most preferred product contains about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the formulation, of polyethylene or polypropylene powder, to improve wettability characteristics of the anhydrous dentifrice paste. Such modified anhydrous toothpaste formulations demonstrate more thorough cleansing power when applied to the teeth, since wettability characteristics have been greatly improved.

Representative vaginal spray powders which may be improved by the addition of the polyethylene or polypropylene powder according to the practice of this invention generally contain solid ingredients including a lubricant, such as isopropyl palmitate, and talc, together with the desired liquid fragrances and an anhydrous alcohol solvent. Propellants are added as the formulation is placed into the spray container. in order to improve the wettability of vaginal sprays of this type, from about 20%-60% by weight, based on the total weight of solids in the formulation, of powdered polyethylene or powdered polypropylene is added to the formulation. Preferred products contain from about 20%-60% by weight of powdered polyethylene or polypropylene, based on the total weight of solids. Particularly preferred products are formulated to contain about 23% by weight of powdered polymer, based on the total weight of solids, in order to provide superior wettability characteristics to the vaginal spray product.

Obviously, many other anhydrous powder and cream preparations in the cosmetic, dental and drug field, other than those specifically mentioned above, could be improved by the addition of the powdered polyethylene or polypropylene according to the practice of this invention.

To further illustrate the invention, the following examples are given:

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of Improved Denture Adhesive Powder In a Hobart mixer, add 1450 grams of a sodium carboxymethylcellulose gum with a degree of substitution of 0.7 and a viscosity of 1300 to 2200 centipoises and 6.25 grams of peppermint oil, USP. Mix until the ingredients assume a crumbly, dry character and pass through a No. 20 mesh screen. Into a separate blender, add 500 grams of O-lower alkyl trimethyl ammonium chloride substituted anhydroglucose powder (Polymer JR); 500 grams of a sodium carboxymethylcellulose gum with a degree of substitution of 0.4 and a viscosity of 400 to 1000 centipoises; and 2543.50 grams of powder polyethylene having an average molecular weight of 2000 and having particle size such that 99.5% of the polyethylene powder passes through a 60 mesh screen. Add in the mixed gum and peppermint oil from the Hobart mixer. Mix all ingredients for 20 minutes or until a uniform blend is obtained. Add in 0.25 grams of F D & C Red No. 3 Aluminum Lake and mix to visual uniformity.

EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of Denture Adhesive Powder A denture adhesive powder is prepared to contain the following ingredients:

Polymer JR 20 pounds Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Degree of substitution 0.4) 10 pounds Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Degree of substitution 0.7) 25 pounds Polypropylene powder (60 mesh) 44 pounds Cab-O-Sil M- 1 pound Peppermint Oil 0.l pound The peppermint oil is well dispersed in 25 pounds of the sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

The polypropylene powder and the Cab-O-Sil M-5 are similarly dispersed in the remaining sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

The two premixes are then placed in a ribbon blender mixing apparatus. The whole is mixed for about l5 minutes, after which the 20 pounds of the Polymer JR is added and the batch mixed for an additional l5 minutes.

EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of Denture Adhesive Powder A denture adhesive powder is prepared, according to the procedure of Example 3, from the following ingredients:

Polymer JR 20 pounds Cellulose sulfate 40 pounds Polyethylene powder (60 mesh) 35 pounds Anise Oil 0.l pound EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of improved Powdered Dentifrice 50.0 Grams of calcium carbonate (precipitated) is placed in a powder mixing device with 47.8 grams of powdered polyethylene having an average molecular weight of about 2000 and a particle size of approximately 60 mesh. To this is added 1 gram of flavor oil and L2 grams of sodium lauryl sulfate. The whole is mixed for about l5 minutes to 30 minutes, to visual uniformity.

EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of improved Anhydrous Toothpaste Formulation 255 grams of a mixture polyethylene glycols having average molecular weights of 550, 600, and 4,000, and 50 grams of a propylene glycol bodying agent are mixed and melted at 65-70C. Heat is discontinued and grams of polyvinylpyrrolidone is added to the heated mixture which is stirred vigorously to form a uniform slurry (A). In a separate steamjacketed mixer, 100 grams of mineral oil, 40 grams of a petrolatum bodying agent and 2 grams of Atmos 300 emulsifier (Atlas Chemical Industries) are mixed and heated to a temperature of 50C. The slurry (A) is added to the ingredients in the steam-jacketed mixer. The following remaining ingredients, after screening (20 mesh screen) are then added to the mixer: 20 grams of sodium lauryl sulfate detergent, 257 grams of hydrated alumina abrasive, 30 grams of aluminum silicate abrasive, 26 grams of mannitol, l0 grams of titanuim dioxide color, and 76 grams of synthetic sweetener. All ingredients are mixed for 20-25 minutes, after which heat is discontinued and the mixture cooled to 30C. 200 grams of powdered polypropylene having an average molecular weight of about 140,000 and a particle size of approximately 200 mesh, is added together with 20 grams of flavor, and the whole is mixed for an additional 20-25 minutes.

EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of Improved Vaginal Spray Powder Add 0.5 grams of the isopropyl palmitate and 2.10 grams of a powdered polyethylene having an average molecular weight of about 2000 and a particle size of approximately 200 mesh to 2.5 grams of anhydrous alcohol and mix thoroughly. Add 0.2 grams of fragrance and blend with other ingredients. Weigh 5 grams of blended ingredients into an aerosol container, add 8.5 grams of talc and pressure fill with 88.2 grams of propellant (40:60 mixture of Propellant l2 and Propellant 1 l4).

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A denture adhesive powder having superior wettability characteristics comprises a substantially anhydrous mixture of nontoxic, adhesive ingredients and from about 40% to about 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the denture adhesive ingredients of a powdered polymeric material having an average particles size of less than about 422 microns, said polymeric material being selected from the group consisting of powdered polyethylene having an average molecular weight ranging from about 1000 to about 3500 and polypropylene having an average molecular weight ranging from about 120,000 to about 350,000, said denture adhesive ingredients comprising:

A. from about 5 to about 55 by weight, based on the total weight of the denture adhesive ingredients of at least one cationic polymeric material having the formula:

wherein R is the residue of an anydroglucose unit, y is an integer having a value of from about l000 to about 5000, and each R individually represents a substituent group of the general formula:

wherein:

m is an integer having a value of from zero to 10; n is an integer having a value of from zero to 3; p is an integer having a value of from zero to 10;

X is an anion; V is an integer which is equal to the valence of X; the average value of n per anhydroglucose unit of said cellulose ether is from about 0.01 to about I; and the average value of m+p per anhydroglucose unit of said cellulose ether is from about 0.01 to about 4; and

B. from about 5% to about 55% by weight, based on the total weight of the denture adhesive ingredients of at least one anoinic gum selected from the group consisting of carboxymethylcellulose gum and cellulose sulfate gum.

2. A denture adhesive according to claim 1 wherein, in the cationic polymeric material of (A) X is chlorine, the average value of n per anhydroglucose unit of said cellulose ether is from about 0.1 to about 0.5, and the average value of m-l-p per anhydroglucose unit of said cellulose ether is from about 0.1 to about 2.5.

3. A denture adhesive according to claim 2 wherein the powdered polymeric material which provides the superior wettability characteristics is present in an amount of from about 45% to about 55% by weight, based on the total weight of the denture adhesive ingredients; said powdered polymeric material having an average particle size of between about 74 to 149 microns and being selected from the group consisting of a powdered polyethylene having a molecular weight of from about 2000 to about 2500, and powdered polypropylene having an average molecular weight of from about 120,000 to about 160,000.

4. A denture adhesive according to claim 3 wherein the anionic gum is a carboxymethylcellulose gum.

S. A denture adhesive according to claim 4 wherein the anionic gum is at least one sodium carboxymethylcellulose gum.

4 i I i I 

1. A DENTURE ADHESIVE POWDER HAVING SUPERIOR WETTABILITY CHARACTERISTICS COMPRISES A SUBSTANTIALLY ANHYDROUS MIXTURE OF NONTIC, ADHESIVE INGREDIENTS AND FROM ABOUT 40% TO ABOUT 60% BY WEIGHT, BASED ON THE TOTAL WEIGHT OF THE DENTURE ADHESIVE INGREDIENTS OF A POWDERED POLYMERIC MATERIAL HAVING AN AVERAGE PARTICLES SIZE OF LESS THAN ABOUT 422 MICRONS, SAID POLYMERIC MATERIAL BEING SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF POWDERED POLYETHYLENE HAVING AN AVERAGE MOLECULAR WEIGHT RANGING FROM ABOUT 1000 TO ABOUT 3500 AND POLYPROPYLENE HAVING AN AVERAGE MOLECULAR WEIGHT RANGING FROM ABOUT 120,000 TO ABOUT 350,000, SAID DENTURE ADHESIVE INGREDIENTS COMPRISING: A. FROM ABOUT 5 TO ABOUT 55 BY WEIGHT, BASED ON THE TOTAL WEIGHT OFF THE DENTURE ADHESIVE INGREDIENTS OF AT LEAST ONE CATIONIC POLYMERIC MATERIAL HAVING THE FORMULA:
 2. A denture adhesive according to claim 1 wherein, in the cationic polymeric material of (A) X is chlorine, the average value of n per anhydroglucose unit of said cellulose ether is from about 0.1 to about 0.5, and the average value of m+p per anhydroglucose unit of said cellulose ether is from about 0.1 to about 2.5.
 3. A denture adhesive according to claim 2 wherein the powdered polymeric material which provides the superior wettability characteristics is present in an amount of from about 45% to about 55% by weight, based on the total weight of the denture adhesive ingredients; said powdered polymeric material having an average particle size of between about 74 to 149 microns and being selected from the group consisting of a powdered polyethylene having a molecular weight of from about 2000 to about 2500, and powdered polypropylene having an average molecular weight of from about 120,000 to about 160,000.
 4. A denture adhesive according to claim 3 wherein the anionic gum is a carboxymethylcellulose gum.
 5. A denture adhesive according to claim 4 wherein the anionic gum is at least one sodium carboxymethylcellulose gum. 